Long Distance Moving

Lux offers interstate moves to everyone across the country. As an Interstate Agent for Atlas Van Lines we have extensive resources throughout the world to assist in your relocation. Our network of Atlas agents allows Lux the ability to provide quality service no matter where you are moving from, or where you are going to.

Atlas Interstate Guide

The Estimate

The cost

The cost of your move can be divided into three categories: the transportation charge, the cost of valuation and the cost of materials and services required to complete the move. Let's look at each individually.

Transportation: Transportation is based on a tariff rate determined by the actual weight of your shipment and the number of miles it will be traveling. It includes the cost of loading your goods, transporting them and unloading them at destination.

Valuation: Valuation is the liability the carrier assumes for your goods while in its care. Most major carriers offer three plans: standard liability, declared value liability and full value liability. Your selection will determine the cost. (Ask your Atlas Agency representative for a copy of "You Deserve A Choice In Protection.")

Materials and Services: Any materials and/or services required to complete your move result in additional charges. For instance, when packing and unpacking are requested, you pay for the cost of packing material as well as the labor charges for the actual service. Delivery conditions at your new location may also require additional services. And, unless the conditions are revealed to your sales representative in advance, costs for these services are not included in your estimate.

For example: the driver arrives to deliver your shipment and finds that your residence is not accessible to an over-the-road vehicle. To complete the delivery, a shuttle service is required. Because inaccessibility was an unknown factor, the cost for shuttle service was not included in the original estimate. Therefore, additional charges are due (even on a binding estimate).

Listed below are examples of services which may result in additional charges:

• Auxiliary (shuttle) service - using smaller equipment to transfer the shipment between the residence and the over-the-road vehicle or vice versa.
• Extra pick-up and/or deliveries
• Overtime loading or unloading
• Piano and/or organ handling
• Automobile handling
• Bulky articles handling (motorcycles, playhouses, hot tubs, etc.)
• Extra labor

Be sure to tell your sales representative about the conditions at your new home or apartment so you'll know beforehand if additional charges are due at destination.

Remember...an estimate is just an estimate! Unless you've been given a guaranteed price (a binding estimate), the actual weight of your shipment is used to compute the actual charges.

After The Estimate

Finalizing

Once you've decided on a carrier, notify your agency representative immediately. This assures immediate scheduling of your agreed pick-up and delivery dates. This is especially important during the peak season (May 15 through September 30) when carriers experience about 48 percent of their business.

Your representative, also known as the booking agent, is now responsible for making the necessary arrangements for your move -- from scheduling packing dates, to hiring an outside contractor to perform specialized services for items that require special handling (such as dissembly of a grandfather's clock or pool table).

If you intend to do your own packing, it is recommended that you purchase special moving cartons and packing material from your local carrier representative. When properly used, these containers aid in protecting your goods while in transit. Otherwise, check with liquor stores about acquiring good, sturdy boxes. Packing brochures, with helpful tips, are usually available from your agency representative.

Labeling your boxes appropriately assists both you and the driver in room placement at your new residence.

If your move requires full or custom (partial) packing, your origin agent notifies you of the date and time that the packing crew is scheduled to arrive to begin preparing your household goods for transit. Depending on the size of your home and the amount of packing required, it may take one or more days to complete. Usually, the actual loading of the van takes place the following day.

Behind the Scenes

With Atlas Van Lines, the information contained on the Estimate/Order for Service is communicated to Atlas Headquarters and your shipment is assigned an identification number which appears on all documentation and correspondence.

The booking agency may elect to transport your shipment using its own driver and tractor-trailer. Or, it may turn the order over to the van line's Operations Department for driver selection and shipment scheduling.

So, it's conceivable to have up to three different agencies sharing the responsiblity for your move -- the booking agent, the origin agent and now the hauling agent.

It's a matter of teamwork. Everyone works together toward a common goal, which is to provide you the smoothest move possible!

Moving Day

Upon arrival, your driver asks you to sign the Bill of Lading. Your signature acts as authorization for the carrier to transport your belongings. It's imperative that you check the document for accuracy and completeness. Any changes in dates, destinations, valuation or services will require an amendment to the order for service.

Your driver is required to complete a Household Goods Descriptive Inventory of the items that are being shipped and to note their condition. Once the inventory is completed, the driver asks you to sign acknowledging that the inventory is to the best of your knowledge, a true and complete list of the goods being tendered to the carrier and the condition in which the goods are received. (If an automobile or boat is included, a signed Motor Vehicle Descriptive Inventory is also required.)

Now that the preliminaries are over, just sit back, relax, and let the driver and helpers do their job.

Delivery

Transit time is based on the weight & distance of your move and the agreed delivery date on your Bill of Lading specifies the preferred time period when delivery of your goods can be expected (example: 5/26 to 6/07). Most drivers try to advise you of their anticipated arrival at least 24 hours in advance. In the unlikely event that your shipment is delayed past the agreed delivery period, you will be notified of the change.

If you request notification of the actual weight and charges by checking the appropriate box on the Bill of Lading, and Atlas representative will inform you of the amount due prior to delivery.

Unless another means has been prearranged, payment is due at the time of delivery by cash, cetified check, or postal money order. The driver will not begin unloading until payment is received. Many carriers now honor major charge cards, but don't assume so. Check with your agency representative in advance to confirm that the agency participates in a charge card program. Verify which cards are accepted and if any restrictions apply, e.g., can the transaction occur at origin or destination?

In the event the actual charges exceed the estimated charges by more than 10%, the driver can release your goods when you pay what is called the 110% Collection Option (not applicable on binding estimates). For example, if the cost of your move was estimated at $2,500 and the actual charges are $2,800, you are only required to pay on delivery the estimated charges ($2,500) plus 10% ($250) or a total of $2,750. The balance of the charges is due in 30 days.

To this point, there have been up to three agencies involved in your relocation -- the booking agent, the origin agent, and the hauling agent. (Recall that it's possible for the booking agent to act as the origin agent and even the hauling agent.) Now, a fourth agency is about to join the moving team.

When the driver needs assistance with unloading, or specific arrangements need to be made for items requiring special handling, the destination agent assigned to your move assists the driver by providing experienced helpers and scheduling other required services. The destination agency's warehouse is also available in the event your shipment goes into temporary storage.

As the driver begins to unload at your new residence, you should check off the items on your copy of the inventory as they are carried in. This helps you determine if all furniture and/or cartons are accounted for. You should also record any noticeable damage. Once you have completed your inventory check, transfer any notations onto the driver's copy of the inventory and sign it.

Hopefully, you've had an opportunity to plan ahead in regard to furniture placement. Although most drivers are very cooperative, they are only required to place furniture once.

If you have requested "unpacking," it's important that you understand what unpacking actually entails. The industry definition of unpacking is removing the packed items from the cartons and placing them on a table or counter for the customer to place in cabinets or drawers and, when requested, the disposal of used material and containers at the time of unpacking.

After Delivery

Although your carrier's objective is to transport your personal belongings without incident, there may be times when loss or damage does occur. If you should discover that items are missing or damaged, here's what you should do:

• Finish your unpacking, then make a list of the damaged and/or missing articles. DO NOT THROW AWAY ANY OF THE DAMAGED ITEMS!
• Gather your documents for reference purposes. As mentioned before, you save time knowing your shipment registration number. Atlas offers two options when making a claim. You can either fill out the online claim form or call your carrier's Customer Service Department at the corporate headquarters to request a claim form (your agency representative can provide you with a toll-free number). Claim forms are mailed promptly.
• When received, fill out the claim form as completely and accurately as possible and return it to the Customer Service representative. Although you actually have nine months from the date of delivery to submit a claim, it's best to file as soon as possible. All claims are settled within the parameters defined by the liability option you previously selected.

Processing begins at the corporate office upon receipt of your claim. A copy of the claim form with an assignment sheet is faxed or mailed to a reputable repair firm authorizing it to make an inspection or proceed in restoring an item damaged in transit. An article that is non-repairable is reported to the Customer Service representative for further assessment.

Every effort is made to locate a missing item. If your carrier is unable to restore it, restitution for a lost and/or non-repairable item will be considered in your final settlement. A letter will be issued advising you of those terms.

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